More Thales Leites

Biographie

TRAINING: A typical day is physical preparation in the morning, jiu-jitsu and boxing in the evening and some wrestling at night.

When and why did you start training for fighting? When I was 17 years old I started jiu-jitsu, and in 2003 I started training MMA and the other martial arts.

What ranks and titles have you held? Jiu-Jitsu - champion of the Copa doBrasil absolute 2003 and Copa do Mundo 2002. Third place, world championships 2001. MMA - Champion Rumble on the Rock. Competed in Storm Samurai, MARS, Jungle Fight, Shooto Brazil, and Vitória Extreme Fight. BJJ Black belt under Welton Ribeiro.Do you have any heroes? NoWhat is your favorite technique? Armbar

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It’s the realization of a dream.Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? Yes. Physical Education.What was your job before you started fighting? None

• One of only two fighters to extend Anderson Silva the full five round championship distance.

• Won six of seven bouts between UFC appearances, with wins over Dean Lister, Jesse Taylor, Tor Troeng, Jeremy Horn, and Matt Horwich.